Yes, low-income households can get cheaper home phone (landline) service through the federal Lifeline program, but a completely free landline is rare. As of October 2026, Lifeline takes up to $5.25 a month off a voice-only home phone and up to $9.25 a month off a qualifying home phone + internet bundle. A few states, such as California and Oregon, add more on top.
This guide shows what you’ll really pay, which phone companies offer Lifeline on a landline, the state programs that lower your bill further, and how to apply step by step.
Quick Answer
- Federal Lifeline discount on a landline (2026): up to $5.25/month for voice-only home phone, or up to $9.25/month when Lifeline goes on qualifying home internet or a phone + internet bundle.
- Tribal lands: up to $25/month more, plus up to $100 off landline setup through Link Up.
- State extras: California LifeLine takes up to $19/month off home phone service. Oregon Lifeline takes up to $20.25/month off phone service.
- Who offers it: local landline companies such as Verizon, Frontier, CenturyLink, Brightspeed, Kinetic by Windstream, TDS Telecom, AT&T (in a few areas), and many small rural phone companies.
- The catch: Lifeline is one discount per household. You can put it on a landline or a cell phone, not both.
Is free landline phone service for low-income households real?
Discounted landline service is real. Fully free landline service is not common. Lifeline lowers your monthly home phone bill, but it usually doesn’t wipe it out. Most landline Lifeline customers still pay part of the basic monthly rate, plus taxes and fees. Free Lifeline service ($0 a month) is much more common on cell phone plans.
Here’s why a Lifeline landline still costs something:
- The discount is a bill credit. Your phone company takes the Lifeline amount off your regular monthly rate.
- Extras cost extra. Voicemail, caller ID, and long-distance packages may not be covered by the discount.
- You bring the phone. Lifeline landline service usually doesn’t include a handset. A basic corded home phone is cheap to buy.
What a Lifeline landline really costs: a simple example
Here’s an example using round numbers. Your company’s rates will be different.
| Voice-only landline | Landline + internet bundle | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price before Lifeline (example) | $25.00 | $60.00 |
| Federal Lifeline discount (2026) | −$5.25 | −$9.25 |
| You pay (before taxes and fees) | $19.75 | $50.75 |
In states with extra help, the numbers drop further. In California, for example, the state’s home phone discount of up to $19 a month can cut a basic line’s cost much more.
If a website promises a “free landline” with no bill at all, read closely. It’s often talking about a free Lifeline cell phone, or it may not be a real Lifeline company. Our Lifeline scam alert guide shows the warning signs.
How much does Lifeline take off a home phone bill in 2026?
In 2026, the federal Lifeline discount on a landline depends on what it’s applied to. A voice-only home phone gets up to $5.25 a month. Qualifying home internet, or a home phone + internet bundle, gets up to $9.25 a month. Households on Tribal lands can get up to $25 a month more on any of these.
| What Lifeline is applied to | Federal discount per month (2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Home phone only (voice-only landline) | Up to $5.25 | Locked in through November 30, 2027 |
| Home internet only | Up to $9.25 | Internet speed must be at least 25 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up |
| Home phone + internet bundle | Up to $9.25 | The internet part must meet the same standard |
| Any of the above on Tribal lands | Up to $25 extra | Up to $34.25 total on internet or bundles |
| Landline setup on Tribal lands (Link Up) | Up to $100 off, one time | Only with certain local phone companies |
Amounts from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which runs Lifeline for the FCC.
Why is the Lifeline landline discount smaller than $9.25?
Since 2016, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has been moving Lifeline money from voice-only service toward internet. Support for voice-only service was lowered in steps from $9.25 to $5.25 and was set to end. The FCC has paused that phase-out every year since.
On July 1, 2026, the FCC paused it again. That means voice-only Lifeline support stays at $5.25 a month through November 30, 2027. The FCC is also asking whether to keep voice-only support for good, end it later, or tie it to a trigger. Nothing has changed yet for current landline customers. Our FCC Lifeline reform 2026 explainer tracks what happens next.
Tip: ask to put Lifeline on your bundle
If your phone company also gives you home internet, ask if Lifeline can go on the internet or the bundle instead. That raises your discount from $5.25 to $9.25. Some companies do this automatically. Kinetic by Windstream, for example, applies the credit to qualifying internet first and only uses the $5.25 voice credit when the internet doesn’t qualify.
Which states add extra help for home phone service?
A few states add their own money or perks on top of federal Lifeline for home phone customers. California and Oregon run the biggest state programs. In other states, extra credits depend on your phone company, so always ask your company what it offers.
| State | Extra help for home phone customers (as of 2026) | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| California | California LifeLine: up to $19.00/month off home phone service, up to $39 off connection, and no charge for several taxes and surcharges | californialifeline.com or your phone company |
| Oregon | Oregon Lifeline: up to $20.25/month off phone service, or up to $24.25/month off internet (federal + state combined) | Oregon Public Utility Commission (apply through the state) |
| Texas | Some companies add a state credit. Frontier lists an extra $7.20/month; Brightspeed lists up to $3.50/month | Texas Low Income Discount Administrator: 1-866-454-8387 |
| New York | Landline customers also get the federal subscriber line charge waived. New York accepts extra programs, such as HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) | National Verifier or your phone company |
| Other examples | For its own customers, Brightspeed lists extra credits in Kansas (up to $7.77 on landline), New Jersey (up to $14.50), Wisconsin (up to $9.25), and Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia (up to $3.50 each) | Ask your phone company |
State extras can change and can differ by company. Your state’s page in our Lifeline by state hub has local details. Texas residents can also read our Texas Lifeline guide, and New Yorkers can check the New York Lifeline guide.
California LifeLine home phone: what to know in 2026
California LifeLine is run by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). It has its own income limits, which are higher than the federal ones. From June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027, the limit is $33,300 a year for a 2-person household and $50,800 for a household of 4, according to the CPUC’s California LifeLine page.
California households must pick the discount on either a home phone or a cell phone, not both.
There’s also a 2026 change to watch. The FCC ended California’s separate eligibility system (announced November 2025). Federal eligibility checks in California now go through the National Verifier, the federal system that checks who qualifies for Lifeline. People who were approved through the state are being re-checked starting in August 2026 and get 60 days to respond. If you get a letter or email about this, answer it right away. Our California Lifeline guide covers the state program in more detail.
Which phone companies offer Lifeline on a landline?
Lifeline home phone service comes from your local landline company, the one that owns the phone lines in your area. Big names include Verizon, Frontier, CenturyLink, Brightspeed, Kinetic by Windstream, TDS Telecom, and AT&T in a few areas. Many small rural phone companies and co-ops offer it too.
| Company | Where it offers Lifeline on home phone (2026) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, DC | After approval, call 1-800-837-4966 to add the discount. See our Verizon Lifeline discount guide |
| Frontier (a Verizon company) | Frontier service areas in many states | Verizon finished buying Frontier on January 20, 2026. The Frontier name continues. See our Frontier Lifeline guide |
| AT&T | Only certain areas of California, Kansas and Nevada | AT&T lists a home phone discount of at least $5.25. See our AT&T Lifeline guide |
| CenturyLink (Lumen) | CenturyLink local phone service areas | Some states need an extra state form on top of the federal application |
| Brightspeed | Former CenturyLink areas across its 20-state footprint | Lists extra state credits in several states (see the table above) |
| Kinetic by Windstream | Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas and other states | Puts the credit on qualifying internet first ($9.25), otherwise voice ($5.25) |
| TDS Telecom | About 25 states, mostly small towns and rural areas | California customers apply through California LifeLine |
| Local phone companies and co-ops | Rural areas nationwide | Often the only landline company in town. Find them with the tool below |
Want to compare wireless choices too? Our best Lifeline providers guide covers the top cell phone companies.
How to find a Lifeline landline company near you
- Open USAC’s Companies Near Me tool.
- Enter your ZIP code, or your city and state.
- Choose Lifeline, then pick “Home Service” as the service type.
- Call the companies listed and ask if they serve your exact street address.
The tool can list companies that don’t reach your street, and it may miss some small local ones. Before you share personal details, use our steps to verify a Lifeline provider.
2026 ownership changes for CenturyLink and Frontier customers
- CenturyLink / Quantum Fiber: AT&T bought Lumen’s consumer fiber business on February 2, 2026. If your fiber service moved to AT&T, check that your Lifeline credit still shows on your bill.
- Frontier: Verizon now owns Frontier. If your bill or account changes, confirm your Lifeline credit is still there.
Who qualifies for Lifeline home phone service?
You qualify for a Lifeline landline the same way you’d qualify for a free Lifeline cell phone. Someone in your household must get SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. Or your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
2026 Lifeline income limits (48 states, DC and territories):
| Household size | Yearly income limit (2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,546 |
| 2 people | $29,214 |
| 3 people | $36,882 |
| 4 people | $44,550 |
| Each extra person | add $7,668 |
Limits are higher in Alaska ($26,933 for 1 person) and Hawaii ($24,786 for 1 person). California uses its own limits (see above).
If you live on Tribal lands, these programs also count:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally administered TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Tribal Head Start (income-qualifying households only)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Some states accept extra programs. Our Lifeline eligibility guide lists them all.
Remember: Lifeline is one benefit per household, not per person. A “household” is everyone at your address who shares income and expenses. Learn more about the one-per-household rule.
How to get a Lifeline landline: step by step
- Check that you qualify through a program or your income (see above).
- Find a home phone company that offers Lifeline at your address, using Companies Near Me with the “Home Service” filter.
- Apply for Lifeline. In most states, you apply through the National Verifier online at lifelinesupport.org, by mail, or with help from the phone company. In Oregon and Texas, apply through your state. In California, start with California LifeLine.
- Gather your proof: a photo ID, proof of address, and proof of your program (like a benefit letter) or your income (like a tax return or recent pay stubs).
- Call the phone company once you’re approved. Give them your application ID or approval number and ask them to add Lifeline to your home phone or bundle.
- Ask one key question: “What will my monthly bill be after Lifeline, including taxes and fees?”
- Check your first bill to make sure the Lifeline credit is there.
- Recertify every year when USAC or your phone company asks. Our Lifeline recertification guide explains how.
Landline vs. free Lifeline cell phone: which should you pick?
Pick a landline if cell signal is weak in your home, you want a simple home phone, or you use a device that needs a phone line. Pick a Lifeline cell phone if you want the lowest cost. Many wireless Lifeline plans cost $0 a month and come with a free phone or SIM card.
| Lifeline landline | Lifeline cell phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | A lower bill, rarely free | Often $0 |
| Federal discount (2026) | $5.25 voice-only, $9.25 with internet | $9.25 (plans include data) |
| Phone included? | No, you use your own home phone | Many companies include a free phone or SIM |
| Works with weak cell signal at home? | Yes | May struggle |
| Works in a power outage? | Old copper lines usually do. Digital home phones need a backup battery | Yes, while the phone’s battery lasts |
| “Use it or lose it” rule? | Usually not (you pay a bill) | Yes, on free plans you must use it every 30 days |
| Uses your household’s one Lifeline benefit? | Yes | Yes |
Quick picks:
- Seniors who want a simple home phone in a low-signal area: a Lifeline landline is a good fit.
- Seniors who want something simple they can carry: look at free flip phones for seniors or our list of the best Lifeline providers for seniors.
- Anyone who needs texting, apps, or the lowest bill: a free Lifeline cell phone usually wins.
- Switching from a landline to a cell phone? You can often keep your number. See how to keep your number when switching Lifeline providers.
Is your landline being shut down? What copper retirement means for Lifeline
Many phone companies are shutting down old copper landlines and moving customers to digital home phone service. You don’t lose your Lifeline eligibility when that happens. But you need to check whether the new service accepts Lifeline, or move your benefit to another company.
For example, AT&T plans to end its traditional landline service in Illinois on or after March 15, 2027. It stopped taking new Illinois landline customers in October 2025, according to Illinois’s Citizens Utility Board (March 2026). AT&T is aiming to retire most of its copper network nationwide by 2029. Illinois readers can see our Illinois Lifeline guide for other options.
If your landline is being replaced:
- Ask your phone company whether your Lifeline credit will move to the new service, and what you’ll pay.
- Ask about backup power. Digital home phones don’t get power from the phone line. Federal rules say these companies must offer you a backup battery option (8-hour or 24-hour), though you may have to pay for it. Without one, a digital home phone can stop working in a power outage, and so can 911 calls.
- Switch if needed. If the new service doesn’t accept Lifeline, you can move your benefit to another Lifeline company. Our guide on how to switch Lifeline providers walks you through it.
Can people with hearing, speech, or vision loss get a free home phone?
Often, yes. Most states run a Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP). These programs give special phones, like amplified or captioned phones, to residents with hearing, speech, vision, or other disabilities, often at no cost. TEDPs are separate from Lifeline, so you can apply for both.
Rules differ by state. Some programs have income limits (Maine’s, for example, is income-based), and some ask for a form signed by a doctor or hearing professional. Find your state’s program in the TEDPA state program directory.
How to keep your Lifeline home phone discount
- Recertify every year. If you miss your recertification deadline, you’ll lose the discount.
- Report changes within 30 days. Tell your phone company if you move or no longer qualify.
- Know the usage rule. The 30-day “use it or lose it” rule only applies to Lifeline service with no monthly fee. Most landline customers pay a bill, so it usually doesn’t apply. If your landline costs $0 after all discounts, use it at least once a month to be safe.
- Keep it to one per household. If someone at your address who shares expenses with you already has a Lifeline cell phone, you can’t also get Lifeline on the landline. To move the benefit from that cell phone to your home phone, call the landline company and ask to transfer it.
Watch out for “free landline” scams
- Lifeline is free to apply. No real Lifeline company charges an application fee.
- Never pay to “speed up” approval. Approval comes from the National Verifier or your state, not from a payment.
- Be careful with unknown callers. Don’t share your Social Security number or benefit card details with someone who calls you out of the blue.
- Check before you sign up. Use our steps to verify a Lifeline provider before you give out personal information.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Lifeline allows one discount per household, on either a home phone or a cell phone, not both. If you want to move your discount from one to the other, you can switch. Just contact the company you want to use.
Not usually. Lifeline lowers a senior’s home phone bill but rarely makes it $0. The exceptions are a few states with large state programs, like California and Oregon. Seniors who want a $0 phone often choose a free Lifeline cell phone instead.
It can. Lifeline isn’t limited to old copper phone lines. If the company is an approved Lifeline provider and offers Lifeline on its digital home phone or bundle, the discount can apply. Ask the company before you sign up.
No. You can get Lifeline on a home phone by itself. Voice-only service gets up to $5.25 a month in 2026. Adding qualifying home internet raises the discount to up to $9.25 a month.
Often, yes. Most landline numbers can be moved (ported) to a cell phone company. Ask your new Lifeline company to transfer your number before you cancel your landline.
Households on qualifying Tribal lands get the regular discount plus up to $25 a month more. That’s up to $34.25 a month on internet or bundles. You may also get up to $100 off landline setup through Link Up, a one-time benefit for each new home address. Read our Tribal Lifeline guide for details.